2013-22-11: Fuselage

Adoption of the Amendment \n\n\n\tAccordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n\n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing airworthiness directive (AD) 2009-10-06, Amendment 39-15901 (74 FR 22424, May 13, 2009), and adding the following new AD: \n\n2013-22-11 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17643; Docket No. FAA- 2013-0328; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-184-AD. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis AD is effective December 10, 2013. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tThis AD supersedes AD 2009-10-06, Amendment 39-15901 (74 FR 22424, May 13, 2009). \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-400 and -400D series airplanes; certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, Revision 1, dated September 19, 2012. \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tJoint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage. \n\n(e) Unsafe Condition \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicating that certain upper chords of the upper deck floor beam are subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking in certain upper chords of the upper deck floor beam, which could become large and cause the floor beams to become severed and result in rapid decompression or reduced controllability of the airplane. \n\n(f) Compliance \n\n\n\tComply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. \n\n(g) Retained Inspections and Corrective Actions With Revised Service Information and Compliance Times \n\n\n\tThis paragraph restates the actions required by paragraph (g) of AD 2009-10-06, Amendment 39-15901 (74 FR 22424, May 13, 2009),with revised service information and compliance times. Except as required by paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD: At the applicable times in paragraph 1.E., ''Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, dated August 21, 2008, do an inspection (open-hole or surface high frequency eddy current (HFEC)) to \n\n((Page 66257)) \n\ndetect cracks in the floor panel attachment fastener holes of the Section 41 upper deck floor beam upper chords, and do applicable corrective actions, by accomplishing all the applicable actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, dated August 21, 2008; or Revision 1, dated September 19, 2012. Repeat the inspections thereafter at the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., ''Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, dated August 21, 2008, except as required by paragraphs (i) and (m) of this AD. As of the effective date of this AD, use only Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, Revision 1, dated September 19, 2012, to accomplish the actions in this paragraph. \n\n(h) Retained Exceptions \n\n\n\t(1) This paragraph restates the exception stated in paragraph (h) of AD 2009-10-06, Amendment 39-15901 (74 FR 22424, May 13, 2009). If any crack is found during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747- 53A2688, dated August 21, 2008; or Revision 1, dated September 19, 2012; specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate action: Before further flight, repair the crack using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (p) of this AD. \n\t(2) This paragraph restates the exception stated in paragraph (i) of AD 2009-10-06, Amendment 39-15901 (74 FR 22424, May 13, 2009). Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, dated August 21, 2008, specifies a compliance time after the date on the service bulletin, this AD requires compliance within the specified compliance time after June17, 2009 (the effective date of AD 2009- 10-06). \n\n(i) Inspections and Corrective Actions for Airplanes on Which a Repair or Modification Is Done (for Section 41) \n\n\n\tFor airplanes on which a repair or modification identified in Table 2 of 1.E., ''Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, Revision 1, dated September 19, 2012, has been done: At the times specified in Table 2 of paragraph 1.E., ''Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, Revision 1, dated September 19, 2012, except as required by paragraph (n)(3) of this AD, do open-hole and surface HFEC inspections, as applicable, for cracking, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, Revision 1, dated September 19, 2012. Repeat at the applicable intervals specified in Table 2 of paragraph 1.E., ''Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, Revision 1, dated September 19, 2012. If any cracking is found in the repaired or modified locations, before further flight, repair the crack using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (p) of this AD. \n\n(j) New Inspections and Repair \n\n\n\tFor Group 1 airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, Revision 1, dated September 19, 2012: At the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., ''Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, Revision 1, dated September 19, 2012, except as specified in paragraph (n)(2) of this AD, do an open-hole or surface HFEC inspection to detect cracking in the floor panel attachment fastener holes of the Section 44 upper deck floor beam upper chords, and all applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, Revision 1, dated September 19, 2012, except as required by paragraph (n)(1) of this AD. Repeat the inspections thereafter at the applicable intervals specified in paragraph 1.E., ''Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, Revision 1, dated September 19, 2012, except as provided by paragraph (m) of this AD. Do all applicable corrective actions before further flight. \n\n(k) New Terminating Action for Certain Conditions \n\n\n\t(1) For Section 41: Doing a hole modification or repair as a hole modification, in accordance with ''Part 2--Section 41-- Repair,'' of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, Revision 1, dated September 19, 2012, terminates the repetitive inspections specified in paragraph (g) of this AD. However, the repetitive inspections specified in paragraph (i) of this AD must be done. \n\t(2) For Section 44: Doing a hole modification or repair as a hole modification, in accordance with ''Part 5--Section 44-- Repair,'' of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, Revision 1, dated September 19, 2012, terminates the repetitive inspections specified in paragraph (j) ofthis AD. However, the repetitive inspections specified in paragraph (l) of this AD must be done. \n\n(l) New Inspections and Corrective Actions for Airplanes on Which a Repair or Modification Is Done (for Section 44) \n\n\n\tFor airplanes on which a repair or modification specified in the ''Condition'' column of Table 4 of paragraph 1.E., ''Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, Revision 1, dated September 19, 2012, has been done: At the times specified in Table 4 of paragraph 1.E., ''Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, Revision 1, dated September 19, 2012, except as required by paragraph (n)(3) of this AD, do open hole and surface HFEC inspections, as applicable, for cracking, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, Revision 1, dated September 19, 2012. Repeat at the applicable intervals specified in Table 4 of paragraph 1.E., ''Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, Revision 1, dated September 19, 2012. If any cracking is found in the repaired or modified locations, before further flight, repair the crack using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (p) of this AD. \n\n(m) New Replacement and Post-Replacement Inspections \n\n\n\tAt the time specified in paragraph 1.E., ''Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, Revision 1, dated September 19, 2012: Replace Section 41 and 44 upper deck floor beam upper chords, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, Revision 1, dated September 19, 2012. Repeat the inspections required by paragraphs (g) and (j) of this AD within 20,000 flight cycles after doing the replacement. Thereafter, repeat the inspection required by paragraphs (g) and (j) of this AD at the times specified in paragraphs (g) and (j) of this AD. \n\n(n) New Exceptions \n\n\n\t(1) If any crack is found during any inspection required by paragraph (i), (j), or (l) of this AD, and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, Revision 1, dated September 19, 2012, specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate action: Before further flight, repair the crack using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (p) of this AD. \n\t(2) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, Revision 1, dated September 19, 2012, specifies a compliance time ''after the Revision 1 date of this service bulletin,'' this AD requires compliance within the specified compliance time after the effective date of this AD. \n\t(3) Where Table 2 or Table 4 of paragraph 1.E., ''Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, Revision 1, dated September 19, 2012, specifies to contact Boeing for inspections and compliance times: Before further flight, contact the Manager, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), for inspections and compliance times and accomplish the inspections at the given times. \n\n(o) Credit for Previous Actions \n\n\n\tThis paragraph provides credit for the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747- 53A2688, dated August 21, 2008. \n\n(p) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\n\t(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (q)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. \n\t(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. \n\t(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used for any repair required by this AD if it is approved by the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make those findings. For a repair method to be approved, the repair must meet \n\n((Page 66258)) \n\nthe certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this AD. \n\t(4) AMOCs approved for AD 2009-10-06, Amendment 39-15901 (74 FR 22424, May 13, 2009), are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding actions of this AD. \n\n(q) Related Information \n\n\n\t(1) For more information about this AD, contact Bill Ashforth, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle ACO, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6432; fax: 425-917-6590; email: [email protected]. \n\t(2) Service information that is not incorporated by reference in this AD may be obtained at the addresses identified in paragraph (r)(5) of this AD. \n\n(r) Material Incorporated by Reference \n\n\n\t(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. \n\t(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. \n\t(3) The following service information was approved for IBR on December 10, 2013. \n\t(i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, Revision 1, dated September 19, 2012. \n\t(ii) Reserved. \n\t(4) The following service information was approved for IBR on June 17, 2009 (74 FR 22424, May 13, 2009). \n\t(i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, dated August 21, 2008. \n\t(ii) Reserved. \n\t(5) For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; telephone 206-544- 5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. \n\t(6) You may view this service information at FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. \n\t(7) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.